Salos in the Mansion

The day had started out great. Well, as great as it could be for one waltzing into battle. Such was the intention of the pyromancer Salos, who traversed the thick forest known to house the Mansion of the witches. The warnings came, and they were many.

Losing one's soul was always the outcome. Those who did not left as broken husks, craving what they lost. Eventually all found their end in the Mansion, whether they came willingly or not.

Countless people were taken away from their homes by the witches, the Mansion's influence was ever-expanding. Neighboring cities have all but surrendered to their fate, meekly hoping the days pass by without any more kidnappings.

Whether Salos was in front of the Mansion's door to save those people, or a more personal reason, only he knew - and whether the day would continue to be great, only his abilities would decide.

As Salos stood outside the mansion gazing upon it, he could not hide his nervousness. The rumors about this place certainly left in impression in his mind. Deciding he needs to do this, he knocks on the front door.

The black door opened promptly at his knock, as if his presence was wholly expected.

"W-Welcome." a soft voice greeted him. It sounded like it came from close by, but Salos couldn't see anyone, until he looked down that is.

What he saw was a short girl with curly blonde hair bowing respectfully at him. "What brings you here?"

“I came to investigate the dark rumors surrounding this house.” Salos said with a kind voice. “May I ask who you are?”

Salos knew from previous experiences that he can’t judge a book by their cover. He wanted to try a diplomatic approach before trying his hand at fighting.

The girl's face lit up. "Oh, a hero then." she answered while doing another small bow. "I-I am Livvy... a w-witch."

With somewhat of a reluctant stance, the short girl revealed both her name and status in the Mansion. It matched what other escaped adventurers spoke of her.

"This way... please." the witch walked on top of an ornate red carpet leading to the upper level. She didn't go too far, waiting on him to follow. It appeared this girl already assumed he was here to fight.

Salons decided to follow this girl. He had hoped that she would be more interested in talking. "So your a witch? What kind of magic do you practice?" He hoped that by creating a dialog, he could get some insight into this girl.

"All sorts." Livvy answered, seeming to be a bit excited of the topic. "E-Elemental, spatial...and demonic." she mentioned the last 'school' of magic in a low voice, as if the mere mention of it was attracting discomfort. Considering that magic stemming from demonic entities was deemed heretical, Livvy's reaction to her own words made sense.

As they continued walking on the path laid out before them by the red carpet, Livvy took a few moments to ponder this man's questions. He had an aura about him that normal people didn't. Mana did not leak from him, indicating some sort of control over it.

"Are you... a sorcerer?" she asked, a little more enthusiasm heard from her shy voice.

"I'm a pyromancer, but I know some other types of magic because of my mother and sisters. They are all witches themselves." Salos shows the girl what he can do by producing a flame in his hand that he makes dance around the pair of them before returning to his hand.

The man appeared to be quite an adept at controlling fire, certainly more so than even an adept sorcerer. His precision was nothing to laugh at, one thing Livvy took note of.

"Oh... impressive. We rarely get s-sorcerers... challenging us."

They arrived in front of an ornate double door, beyond them lied what most other adventurers described as the arena where one would fight the witches. Before opening the door, the small girl looked at him from up close. "Good luck, Mister..."

“Thank you.” Salos said with a small smile as he opened the doors and entered.

As the door opened before him, Salos took note of the environment. It was a spacious room, with no furniture in it save for a far off table with what looked like potions lying on it. Though what stuck out for him was what lied directly in front of him: a set of steps leading to a throne.

The blonde girl walked away from Salos, joining the two other women in the room. One was sitting on the throne; a voluptuous redhead wearing revealing black robes and a pointy hat. The other, equally seductive in appearance, was a blue haired witch wearing a magician's outfit, complete with a top hat and cane.

"Oooh, a pretty boy." the magician's voice echoed with excitement. "Can I take him?"

"If his intention is to stop us, that is." the other woman added.

“I came here to find out what has been happening to the people who come to this mansion. If you agree to stop hurting people, I would leave you in peace otherwise.....” Salos created some flames in his hand to try to persuade the witches before him to try to cease their unethical activities. He knew that they would most likely not listen to him, but he had to try.

"A proper hero, then." the witch leader looked him up from head to toes, focusing more on the flame he created. "Quite the poor negotiator as well."

"Yeah, if you're going to threaten us, you might as well attack." the blue haired witch threw a small book his way. She was not surprised by his reaction time. "That's the rule book. Read it, then pick whoever you want to start fighting. And whatever you do, don't break the rules. It's for your own good."

[Salos has received the rule book.]

Salos took a quick read thru of the rule book. Once he had gotten the idea down, he decided on his opponent. 

“I’ll face Livvy first. I can understand what it’s like to have two older witches as sisters.” Salos says deciding to face her first. She was the only one he had even talked to and had any idea of her personality type. He knew he would need to be careful with these three and their rules.

Livvy nodded at his request. She looked somewhat determined, perhaps to prove herself to the other witches. With great care, the small witch produced a very tiny painting stand with a canvas attached on it. Salos observed her clasping her hands together, then pulling them apart, a gesture that channeled her mana into the canvas.

He knew what this was, the spatial magic she mentioned. Within seconds, the stand, along with its canvas grew to a regular size. The same process happened again with a painter's palette, already assorted with colors and a brush.

With one last glance towards the throne, Livvy raised her arms, creating a transparent shield made entirely of magical energy. "I'm ready, mister."

---

Salos: 30 willpower
Livvy: 30 stamina/willpower
Canvas: 10 stamina

Salons gave her a respectful bow. He decided to open with a basic fireball as a way to start off their fight. He focused his energy and launched his attack towards his opponent.

(Fireball)

Salos would find out that starting with a slow and predictable attack was not ideal. His opponent, despite being a small girl, certainly showed some skill in the arts of magic. The fireball was slowed down by the barrier long enough for Livvy to reduce its size and power tremendously, making it explode by sheer friction with the shield.

"A better look..." she murmured, throwing out a shard all the way behind him. Much like the other objects grew in size, so too did the shard, taking the more complex form of a mirror floating behind the pyromancer.

Salos: (Fireball - 51)
Livvy: (Magic Mirror)

---

Salos: 30 willpower
Livvy: 30 stamina/willpower
Canvas: 10 stamina
Mirror: 1 stamina

(Just so we are clear, Salos was targeting Livvy and not her Canvas, right? You should probably mention what target he is attacking just to be sure.)

Salos decided he needed to be more decisive with his attack. He created a whip of flame and aimed his attack at the young girl. He was determined to strike hard. 

(Flamewhip)

Livvy readied her brush, just as Salos did his whip of flames. Like a blade being swung, the small girl slashed across the Canvas. A translucent brush the size of a human's body appeared next to Salos, and in rhythm with her movement, slashed at him as well.

What the witch didn't expect was Salos' attack making him step backwards and avoid the brush. What the pyromancer didn't expect was the same brush coming back to life through a reflection in the mirror.

Salos did not find any physical or mental ailment placed upon him. Every bit of black paint that was smeared upon him disappeared in an instant, the only thing he saw was Livvy smiling as she began her work. Whatever would happen should she complete her work, Salos knew it couldn't be good.

Salos: (Flamewhip - 10)
Livvy: (Outline - 61 + Reflection - 4)

---

Salos: 30 willpower + Painted(1/10)
Livvy: 27 stamina, 30 willpower
Canvas: 10 stamina
Mirror: 1 stamina

Salos decided he needed to get rid of the mirror if her attacks could come out if the mirror as well. He created another whip of flame and aimed it at the mirror this time. He was determined to shatter it.

(Flamewhip)

As expected, the mirror was an easy target, unprotected by Livvy's spells. However, he could sense an ominous energy flowing from the remnants of the mirror into him. He felt the flow of his mana stuttering, getting stuck in its course from moment to moment. Whatever that mirror's destruction did to him, it made casting spells properly an arduous task.

"So pretty..." she said as she continued to paint Salos's face. Her hand was moving at ludicrous speeds, as if time itself worked differently for the tiny witch. Gradually, her burst of speed ceased, the magic ran out. It seemed she could only continue the ritualistic painting if her opponent was hit by the spectral brushes. Yet thanks to Salos's surprising agility, he managed to dodge the brush coming his way.

"You're right, he's way prettier than you." Maya's voice came from behind Livvy, startling the little witch, as well as making her mildly irritated at the prospect. She tried her best to ignore the magician and focus on the painting.

Salos: (Flamewhip - auto-hit)
Livvy: (Outline - 31)

---

Salos: 30 willpower + Painted(1/10) + Bad Luck
Livvy: 27 stamina, 30 willpower
Canvas: 10 stamina

Salos didn’t expect destroying the mirror would carry such a backlash. He now knew that he couldn’t take this girl and her tricks lightly. “Every witch has the own way of using magic. It always has twists and turns. I have the be ready for her’s.” 

Salos decided to try and summon a flame blade. Maybe using direct attacks would be more effective was the question that was running thru his head. He did stop when he heard the other witch’s comment to his opponent. He stoped as said “You are way more pretty then me. Don’t let her get you down.” Salos said offering comfort as he attempted to form his blade. Despite his words and friendly tone of voice, he said a little loud with a red face, “I just wish people wouldn’t call me pretty.”

(Flameblade)

Livvy blushed slightly at his compliment. "T-Thank you..."

Maya smiled slyly upon hearing what he had to say, all the while thinking about how easy this man was. "But you are pretty, oh so pretty. For all we know you could be a girl. But don't worry, we'll find out together~"

"If he... gets to you." Livvy cut in as she performed another stroke, sounding more determined than the other witch was used to.

"Want to impress the boss, eh?"

"N-No..."

Salos: (Flameblade)
Livvy: (Outline[adv] - 54)

---

Salos: 30 willpower + Painted(2/10) + Flameblade(3)
Livvy: 27 stamina, 30 willpower
Canvas: 10 stamina

Salos was getting annoyed with the one witch in the peanut gallery. "Will you shut up?" He snapped at her. It was obvious that her taunts were getting to him.

Salos turned his gaze to his opponent again. "Now to get back to you. Prepare yourself!" Salos said to her looking determined. He took a deep breath before he charge towards her with his sword.

(Basic attack)

Maya licked her lips. "Mmm, I can't wait to break this one. Hurry up and lose already." she finished by addressing Livvy, who did not look like she took it well.

"I won't lose."

Her look was bitter, frustrated. She always got too emotional when painting was involved, she did not want to face defeat. Livvy was no stranger to poor performance, quite the opposite. But she was watching. Livvy couldn't bear to disappoint her again.

A heavy spectral brush collided with Salos's swing. His blade was holding the weight and momentum of an attack fueled by raw emotion, one that simply overpowered him. The pyromancer was fortunate that was not a real sword he clashed against, otherwise he would have been cut in half. Instead, a trail of black paint marked the meeting point of the two halves of his body.

Salos: (Basic attack - 55)
Livvy: (Outline - 62)

---

Salos: 30 willpower + Painted(3/10) + Flameblade(2)
Livvy: 27 stamina, 30 willpower
Canvas: 10 stamina